From the Office of the President

OSTOMY CAN IMPROVE LIFE QUALITY

The President's Corner - Products
Written by Tom Webb
Thursday, 26 May 2011 20:39
Frequently, ordinary people have extraordinary needs. U.S. Senate Resolution 95 on March 8, 2011 recognized more than 700,000 ordinary people with ostomy. An ostomy is created when a portion of the colon or rectum is surgically brought the surface via a stoma or opening through the body wall to restore intestinal and urinary function (urostomy) for the discharge of waste. Causes for the procedure include colorectal cancer, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitus and trauma. Premature infants may be affected by necrotizing enterocolitus, an infection and inflammation of the bowel, that results in up to 5% of neonatal intensive care unit admissions. The treatment could result in an ostomy with the intent of a later reversal. Ostomy must be viewed as a procedure to enable ordinary people to perform in their everyday lives. The objective is to obtain a feeling of comfort in every activity from sports to intimacy to business activities. Today’s ostomy products are designed for ease of use, discreetness and to be odorless. Manufacturers of appliances for ostomy provide extensive resources including those of skilled nurses. Check with your insurance carrier to find out what items are covered. Do you have a local supplier for your products? Be willing to change brands and experiment with different products to find your comfort level. If you are one of the ordinary people about to experience the ostomy procedure, learn as much as you can prior to the procedure. Go to the internet. The United Ostomy Associations of America, Inc. has a Bill of Rights that includes everything from pre-op counseling to site location to follow up and community resources like the Memphis Area Ostomate.
Last Updated on Thursday, 26 May 2011 20:41

INCONTINENCE, INDY CAR DRIVERS AND YOU

The President's Corner - Products
Written by Tom Webb
Thursday, 10 March 2011 22:09
Is this a familiar scenario? You are the primary caregiver for an aging parent. It is the weekend. You have plans and there is a need for diapers. So you go the local high volume retailer to face the options. Do I buy the name brand or the house brand? Is this an effective product? Is it a good value? You are not alone with this decision. More than 2 billion dollars are spent on more than 25 million adults experiencing urinary incontinence. Urinary Incontinence is grouped into three classifications. Stress incontinence can come from laughter or coughing and results in the release of about a quarter cup of urine. Overflow incontinence is when the bladder overflows without control resulting in the loss of about ¾ cup of urine. Reflex incontinence is often found where the individual has had a stroke, is bed bound or is diabetic. The volume is usually greater, in the 1 ¼ cup range or more. By knowing the type of incontinence and the volume loss, you can better determine the style of product best suited for the need and you can better calculate the quantities you will be using. TERMS AND DESCRIPTIONS Back to the scenario. Lets say the person in need is an elderly adult male, who is able to self toilet but sometimes can’t make it to restroom in time. In this case, an underwear type pull-up will suffice. Pull ups are more discreet. For the individual who has issues with self toileting, whose output is significant and who has more than four accidents per day, a tabbed brief would be recommended. As a rule, the tabbed brief has more holding capacity due to the polymers in the fluff. Polymers assist in the control of bacteria and odor. By today’s standard, thicker in a tabbed brief does not mean better. Tabs should be re-sealable and the leg gathers should be effective. CHANGE FREQUENTLY So if you know the output, you know the style of undergarment, you can estimate the quantity, all you have to do is select the brand. We feature products made by First Quality. OR Anytime you have a question, contact the VistaCare office with your questions about fit, style, usage and our quality brands. Astronauts might require a brief, deep sea divers may require a brief and Indy Car drivers don’t make rest stops!